Permit granted, finally!
My landlord will start his part of construction such as walls and parking lot soon. Meanwhile, I will discuss with my architect regarding interior construction and start contractor bidding process.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
90-day plan
Three months have passed since I wrote my first 90-day plan. Can't say I accomplished all the tasks but finished most of them. Would have to start another plan soon.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
On call
The full-time job I started at the beginning of this year has now reduced hours. I have to call in almost everyday to see if I had work on the next day. The company also has reduced its employee health benefit so that we have to pay $100 per month.
I understand companies have to do whatever takes to survive. But I also know that people have little sympathy to those who treat their employees like numbers. Many of my colleagues must be looking for second job, if they do not have one yet. Hope the owner is aware of possibility of losing his employees.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I understand companies have to do whatever takes to survive. But I also know that people have little sympathy to those who treat their employees like numbers. Many of my colleagues must be looking for second job, if they do not have one yet. Hope the owner is aware of possibility of losing his employees.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Construction postponed, again.
The permit was not granted from city planning department last week as we hoped. So the construction would not start today. Just have to be patient with the city hall bureaucracy.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Geography Coloring Book
I purchased it several months ago when I finally admitted how little geography I knew. I'd better at least know the location of coffee-producing countries. Descriptions of countries are a little bias to US point of view. But it is still a good way to learn geography (beside actually visiting places, of course.)
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Commonsense diversity
The coffee shop I work at has began not allowing outside drinks. My boss said that the customers can still eat outside food, as we do not offer too many food items on the menu.
Many customers look at the sign and ask "do people really do that (bringing their own drinks)?" while some still try to sneak in their own bottles. Boss said, "we should be all mourning for death of common sense." At least one regular customer said he will attend the awake.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Many customers look at the sign and ask "do people really do that (bringing their own drinks)?" while some still try to sneak in their own bottles. Boss said, "we should be all mourning for death of common sense." At least one regular customer said he will attend the awake.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Long-term benefits
Went to a salad bar restaurant where you pay after helping yourself with a plate of salad. The cashier asked me if I was a AAA member because I could get some discount if I had my membership card.
I had my card so got discount for myself and my friend.
There was no sign or anything indicating the discount, and he did not have to ask me if he didn't want to. The store could charge us the full price, and we would not have known out loss. But now that he cared to mention, I would be more likely to go back there or their chain. Long-term benefit successfully made at Fresh Choice!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I had my card so got discount for myself and my friend.
There was no sign or anything indicating the discount, and he did not have to ask me if he didn't want to. The store could charge us the full price, and we would not have known out loss. But now that he cared to mention, I would be more likely to go back there or their chain. Long-term benefit successfully made at Fresh Choice!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Chocolat
Just finished reading this book. I was too absorbed to the book to put it down, partially because theme of the chocolate store run by the main character Vienna was very similar to that of Snappy's; tasty products and friends in a small but comforting space.
"I sell dreams, small comforts, sweet harmless temptations to bring down a multitude of saints crash-crash-crashing among the hazels and nougatines...." (page 45)
I usually skip the movie after finishing a good book, afraid that would ruin my experience with the story. But this time I would like to watch it just to see how the shop is created in the film.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Disagree respectfully
A couple of weeks ago I had an opportunity to meet the author of Japanese business newsletter I subscribe. He announced his visit to San Francisco in the newsletter, so I contacted him to meet for dinner. We enjoyed various conversation topics over a nice meal and then even exchanged brief but sincere thank you emails afterwards.
It was a great meeting, well, that's what I thought.
I guess the meeting wasn't as enjoyable for him, as the newsletter stopped coming to my inbox after it.
Not that I am complaining, as I agree the provider of goods or services (in this case a free newsletter, information), regardless of the price, has the right to decide whom to do business with. My own interpretation of his eliminating my name from the distribution is
- How I was using the information in his newsletter was different from his expectation. (The newsletter gives daily assignment, and he demands people to discontinue subscription unless they can follow it everyday. I told him that I sometime work on few at the same time due to my schedule.)
- He felt uncomfortable now that I know he does not speak English while his newsletter implies otherwise.
- I simply pissed him off with something.
My guess is that he likes to have fans who would blindly follow his words. On the other hand I welcome constructive discussions, even if we disagree on issues, to exchange ideas and learn from them.
I signed up for the newsletter again using a different email address but found myself reading it with less credit. Unfortunate outcome of meeting the (famous) author.
It was a great meeting, well, that's what I thought.
I guess the meeting wasn't as enjoyable for him, as the newsletter stopped coming to my inbox after it.
Not that I am complaining, as I agree the provider of goods or services (in this case a free newsletter, information), regardless of the price, has the right to decide whom to do business with. My own interpretation of his eliminating my name from the distribution is
- How I was using the information in his newsletter was different from his expectation. (The newsletter gives daily assignment, and he demands people to discontinue subscription unless they can follow it everyday. I told him that I sometime work on few at the same time due to my schedule.)
- He felt uncomfortable now that I know he does not speak English while his newsletter implies otherwise.
- I simply pissed him off with something.
My guess is that he likes to have fans who would blindly follow his words. On the other hand I welcome constructive discussions, even if we disagree on issues, to exchange ideas and learn from them.
I signed up for the newsletter again using a different email address but found myself reading it with less credit. Unfortunate outcome of meeting the (famous) author.
Customer only
At the neighborhood cafe, I noticed little signs "Customer Only" next to each table. I guess that refers to Internet usage. The cafe is located across the street from a community college, and some students may try to take advantage of free wireless Internet without purchasing anything.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Construction delayed
The permit was not be granted last week to start construction today as we originally hoped. Landlord's architect has to submit extra information to City's planning department. He explains that "this is more information than requested during the last several years I have been in the industry. It seems, the more we provide the information, the more they want to know...."
I have once heard a rumor that city is becoming slightly easy on permit process as it wishes to encourage business development. I guess that is not true in this case. Thank you for the architect, Don, for pulling this together!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I have once heard a rumor that city is becoming slightly easy on permit process as it wishes to encourage business development. I guess that is not true in this case. Thank you for the architect, Don, for pulling this together!
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Official business name
Finally submitted the form to make "Snappy's Cafe" an official fictitious name. This process is necessary to make sure others in the county do not use the same name to conduct business. The proof is also needed to open a bank account.
I will soon contact Alice at the bank to start business account.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
I will soon contact Alice at the bank to start business account.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
Special dessert
Took visitors from Japan to a nice restaurant in North Beach district, where lots of Italian businesses are in San Francisco. Service was okay, but food was good, so we were enjoying the meal.
After the entrees, the server came back with the dessert menu and told us that beside the listed items, they had dessert of the day which was chocolate mousse. So we decided to share the chocolate mousse. I was stunned when the dish arrived to our table, as it looked exactly the same as the one we buy at a wholeseller, Smart and Final.
What a turn-off!
After the entrees, the server came back with the dessert menu and told us that beside the listed items, they had dessert of the day which was chocolate mousse. So we decided to share the chocolate mousse. I was stunned when the dish arrived to our table, as it looked exactly the same as the one we buy at a wholeseller, Smart and Final.
What a turn-off!
Construction permit
Waiting for a permit from the city to start site construction.
My landlord is planning to start building and parking lot improvement on 13th. My architect and I will start planning the interior construction simultaneously.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
My landlord is planning to start building and parking lot improvement on 13th. My architect and I will start planning the interior construction simultaneously.
Japanese version of this entry is here.
